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Andreas Hell
multiple authors
LAS VEGAS – David Benavidez delivered a star-making performance with a brutal sixth-round TKO of Gilberto “Zardo” Ramirez to capture the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.
Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) moved up to cruiserweight after winning world titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight, and he became a three-division world champion with a violent performance that proved he was worthy of the “Mexican Monster” nickname that Mike Tyson gave him.
“My combinations, my punch selection is different than anything else,” Benavidez said. “Whatever it is, man, I don’t care who it is: nobody can mess with me.”
Benavidez, 29, entered the fight ranked as ESPN’s No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter, but had long sought to take over the Mexican vacation from Canelo Alvarez, against whom he has spent years trying to secure a fight.
Against the 34-year-old Ramirez, Benavidez got a chance to headline the Cinco de Mayo weekend against a fellow Mexican. And the performance Benavidez put on Saturday shows he could be the new face of Mexican boxing.
After the fight, a spokesperson for Golden Boy Promotions said that Ramirez was taken to the hospital to undergo a head scan.
“He is in good spirits and his eye is swollen,” the spokesman said. “There is no determination of the fracture at this point.”
Ramirez (48-2, 30 KOs) had previously tasted defeat only once in his career, a wide decision over Dmitry Bivol when he challenged for the WBA light heavyweight title in 2022. Ramirez had success as a cruiserweight, winning four consecutive bouts and becoming unified champion with wins over Chris Billum-Smith and Arsen Goulamiryan. But Ramirez was no match for Benavidez and his superior hand speed.
“I knew the combination would be able to land easily,” Benavidez said.
Still, the way Benavidez broke Ramirez was an eye-opener. He constantly harassed his opponent with combinations, landing Ramirez with punches that enthralled the fans in attendance.
Benavidez and Ramirez were familiar with each other before their title fight. Benavidez was 19 when he helped Ramirez prepare for his fight with Arthur Abraham in 2016 and was said to have sparred about 300 rounds with Ramirez. But fighting is far different from fighting, and Ramirez found that out the hard way, leaving the ring with his right eye nearly swollen shut on Saturday night.
Benavidez said, “I love Ramirez. We got along well.” “I’m a little sad it had to happen. I love ‘Xardo’ Ramirez, but that’s it. There’s only one ‘Monstro’.”
Benavidez stayed close to Ramirez from the opening bell, picked his spots and ultimately demonstrated the trademark arm speed that has been his calling card. By round 4, Benavidez began potshotting with hooks and surprising Ramirez with uppercuts. Ramirez staggered backward, and Benavidez pursued him, and landed several punches that forced Ramirez to kneel.
Ramirez steadied himself in round 5, but Benavidez was waiting for another opportunity to advance. That opportunity came in the next round, when Benavidez landed several uppercuts on Ramirez. With less than 30 seconds remaining, another violent combination staggered Ramirez, and one last attack from Benavidez put him down for good. Ramírez’s eye immediately began to swell, and the fight was stopped at 2:59.
With the win, Benavidez can remain at cruiserweight. But he decided to call out former undisputed super middleweight champion Alvarez, who was at ringside.
“I just want to give the fans what they want to see,” Benavidez said. “I see Canelo in the building. Hey, let me ask the fans this: Do you guys want to see Canelo vs. David Benavidez? That’s enough. That means we can’t leave that fight on the table. And I respect Canelo. He’s a good champion. But I’m a great champion, too. Let’s do it.”
While a fight with Alvarez would be a huge event, Benavidez’s impressive performance on Saturday could make it even more difficult. Alvarez also campaigns at super middleweight, while Benavidez is unlikely to return to 168 pounds after competing at 200 pounds.
Nevertheless, Benavidez took his shot before staking his claim for a fight with unified light heavyweight champion Bivol.
“Bivol is No. 1 on my hit list,” Benavidez said. “Bivol, he’s a great competitor, great champion. But I’m also a great champion. I just want to test myself in every single fight.”
